Joshua Walters, the cellmate of Adam Peterson, was charged with contributing to Peterson's suicide in the Dodge Correctional Institution in January 2009, according to a complaint filed Tuesday.
Peterson, 22 at the time of his death, was convicted of killing former UW-Madison student Joel Marino Jan. 28, 2008 and was serving a life sentence in jail at the time of his death.
An inmate at the facility identified as ""JGQ"" came forward to detectives after the incident, indicating Walters told him about Peterson's suicide.
According to the complaint, Walters, 20, told JGQ he convinced Peterson to commit suicide. He told Peterson he would also commit suicide after Peterson did. The defendant said Peterson had not planned on committing suicide because his family was planning to visit the next weekend.
The defendant told JGQ he helped Peterson tie the sheet to the bed, but that Peterson administered the noose around his neck on his own.
According to the complaint, following Peterson's hanging, the defendant wrapped a towel around Peterson's neck to help him pass out.
One hour after Peterson hung himself, the defendant called an officer to inform them of Peterson's death.
JGQ told detectives the defendant was ""nervous"" on the night of Peterson's death and asked, ""Can you get in trouble for helping someone kill themselves?""
Walters faces a $10,000 dollar fine and 6 years in prison if convicted.
